Demdaco Gift FAQ: Willow Tree, Crystal Figurines, Tea Sets & Diamond Painting Drills

I'm the person who checks gift products before they leave the warehouse—figurines, ornaments, tea sets, all of it. For the last four years I've reviewed 300+ unique items annually, and the same questions keep popping up from retailers and corporate gift buyers. So here's the FAQ I wish I could hand to every buyer. It's not the final word on anything. It's what I've learned from approving good batches, rejecting bad ones, and fixing specs for the companies we supply. (Yes, we reject stuff. More than you'd think.)

1. How can I tell if a Willow Tree figurine is genuine?

First, flip it over. A genuine Willow Tree figurine carries the Susan Lordi signature and the Demdaco mark on the underside. The finish is matte, not shiny, and the paintwork has a hand-finished look—slight variation is normal, but a glossy decal or a wobbly paint line is a red flag. From the outside, a knock-off looks like the same figure at a fraction of the price. The reality is the resin weight is different, the proportions are slightly off, and the base usually has no stamp or a sloppy one.

If you're buying online, ask for a photo of the bottom before you pay. That one photo will save you most of the headache. A few years ago, a buyer sent me pictures of a 'bargain' Willow Tree they'd picked up at a craft fair. It was close—close enough that most customers wouldn't look twice—but the face was wrong and the base had no signature. So glad they asked before adding it to their shelves. That would've been a return nightmare.

2. Is the Demdaco Willow Tree 'My New Baby Sky' figurine an official piece?

Yes, it is. 'My New Baby Sky' is part of the Willow Tree collection, designed by Susan Lordi and distributed by Demdaco. It's a newer addition to the line, which is why not every retailer carries it yet. If the box says 'My New Baby Sky' and the underside has the Willow Tree / Susan Lordi marks, it's official. Don't be thrown off by the long title—Willow Tree pieces often have names that read like a sentence. That's normal. What matters is the same sculpted detail, matte finish, and base marking as the rest of the line.

3. Why does the Demdaco Willow Tree Angel's Embrace figurine cost different amounts?

Because 'Angel's Embrace' has been in the catalog for a long time. Older production runs, retailer exclusives, packaging condition, and wholesale volume all change the final price. But here's what you need to know: a higher price alone doesn't mean a better figurine. It can just mean the seller has higher overhead—or knows the piece is in demand. Paying more doesn't guarantee authenticity either. We once had a customer pay 40% extra for a listing marked 'rare.' The 'rare' version turned out to be the same figure from a different distribution year, with the same base mark. The only real difference was the listing description.

4. What does 'crystal figurine' actually mean?

This is a classic surface-illusion product. People assume 'crystal' is a precise material. The reality is the word is as much marketing as it is a standard. In the EU, lead crystal has a legal definition: glass with at least 24% lead oxide. In the U.S., 'crystal' can appear on almost anything—including resin. If a supplier says 'crystal resin,' that's not glass. It's resin with a sparkly finish. That's not necessarily bad, but you should know what you're paying for. When you source crystal figurines wholesale, ask for the material spec and whether it's glass, lead glass, or resin. If they dodge the question, treat it as a red flag.

In the EU, 'lead crystal' is legally defined as glass with at least 24% lead oxide.

5. What should I check on a tea set before ordering in bulk?

Three things cover most of what I inspect. Actually, four if you count packaging: perfect cups do you no good if they arrive as broken shards. But working down the set, I start with the glaze—especially at the rim. Chipped or uneven glaze is the top defect we reject. Then the base of each cup: an unglazed base looks fine in a photo, but it scratches saucers and traps moisture. Then the wobble test: place each cup on its saucer and give it a gentle press. If it rocks, it will annoy customers and increase breakage in transit. And if the tea set is meant for food use, ask for the manufacturer's lead and cadmium test results. 'Food-safe' is a claim; a test report is proof.

6. Are diamond painting drill numbers universal?

Mostly, but don't bank on it. The DMC color code is the closest thing to a universal language for drill colors. Most reputable brands label drills with DMC numbers, so a 310 or 939 should match between kits. But 'should' isn't 'always.' Pigment formulas vary by manufacturer, and the same DMC number can look slightly different under natural light. Sizes matter too: standard round drills are 2.5mm, and most squares are also 2.5mm, but specialty drills—3mm, AB, special shapes—are not interchangeable. If the drills need to match exactly, buy from one brand or run a small patch test first. A few months back, our team rejected a batch of labeled drills because the 'DMC 740' was visibly closer to 742. That's the kind of difference that ruins a customer's weekend.

7. So should I just take the lowest quote?

No. Bottom line: the lowest quote is rarely the lowest total cost. Say you save $1.50 a piece on a figurine. Then count the chargebacks, refunds, bad reviews, and the staff time spent answering 'where is my order' emails. One defective batch can eat the savings from five orders. In our Q1 2024 audit, the vendor with the cheapest unit price produced 60% of the quality issues we caught. Not all of those were disasters—some were just unpolished bases or sloppy packing—but they all created extra work. Trust me on this one: pay for defined specs, not just a number.